NRA likens universal checks to gun registry

WASHINGTON (AP) – The National Rifle Association’s executive vice president continued to oppose background checks for all gun purchases despite polls indicating that most NRA members don’t share his position.

The NRA’s Wayne LaPierre tells “Fox News Sunday” that background checks for all gun purchases would lead to a universal registry of gun owners. Critics say such a registry could lead to taxes on guns or to confiscation.

Mark Kelly, a gun owner married to the former Arizona congresswoman who survived a 2011 shooting, asked LaPierre to listen to his members. He said the current system prevented 1.7 million gun purchases since 1999. However, those potential buyers had other options because many gun sales don’t require a background check.

Kelly and LaPierre agree more people seeking to buy guns illegally should be prosecuted.

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